(Hopefully) the third time is the charm: Apple Watch Series 3 review

The title says it all… I’ve purchased both the Series 1 and Series 2 Apple Watches, taking them both back within Apple’s no-questions-asked return window. Each time going into the relationship starry-eyed and hopeful. But ultimately determining that I didn’t need Apple’s smartwatch or I missed my old school timepieces. Well, oops I’ve done it again, the Series 3 was calling my name and I finally gave in and pulled the trigger. For this write-up, I won’t be diving very deep into the specs (that’s all over the Net) but more into the experience as an old (emphasis on Old…) time watch guy who loves tech gear and fitness.

I find that as I near 50, my workouts have become less frequent and not nearly as epic as back in the day. While I stay in decent shape, old age is winning. It is my hope that an Apple Watch will help stem the tide and enable me to raise the bar. Being an AR number cruncher, I find the real-time data a smartwatch gives me both nagging and motivating.

After getting over the hump of whether or not to buy a Series 3, the next question is which Apple Watch would satisfy me the most. As I said, I am a long time watch guy. While (a bit) unnecessary in today’s world of smartphones, I enjoy the feel/heft of a timepiece on my wrist. The aluminum and glass Apple Watch always felt a bit light to me, lacking the weight I have come to prefer. So, long story short, I decided to splurge and get the stainless steel black sport Apple Watch with sapphire glass screen. The stainless steel watch is only available with LTE, which I don’t know if I’d have chosen if given the choice. But overall, I walked away with little to no regrets, that deep down I know I would have if I had purchased the base model.

I have benched my classic timepieces and been using the Apple Watch for a few weeks. It really has motivated me to do more. In my hectic life, I find myself walking the stairs in my building more, hopping on the elliptical more often before settling down for dinner, and most importantly…finding the time/energy/motivation to run more.

Theoretically, any smartwatch could do this for you (or better yet sheer willpower) but our family lives in the Apple ecosystem and the Apple Watch only adds to the seamlessness of that world. The watch makes an excellent companion for all my Apple devices from my iPhone to my MacBooks. WatchOS 4.0 and built-in LTE has definitely improved the smartwatch experience making the latest Apple Watch as close to an iPhone on your wrist (or Dick Tracy) that you can get these days. There are several LTE enabled Android/Tisen watches on the market but they’re bulky and lack the refinement of the Apple Watch.

Well, long story short, I’m keeping the Apple Watch Series 3 for the following reasons: refinement, material/build quality, enhanced Apple ecosystem experience, and added motivation. I’m still up in the air about activating T-Mobile LTE on it but I’ll continue to ponder the usability and potential impact on battery life (which I currently find stellar, with 75% power remaining on a typical day and more than 50% on a running & streaming music day). Overall, I truly like the watch and have promised myself I won’t look back or wear my other watches till I lose 10 pounds and hopefully rekindle my workout mojo. Wish me luck 😉 …

Source: The sample for this review was purchased with my own funds. Please visit their apple.com for more info.

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3 thoughts on “(Hopefully) the third time is the charm: Apple Watch Series 3 review”

I was tempted by the Series 3 before I jumped ship back to Android. If I was ever going to get a smartwatch, I think the Apple Watch would be the one to buy. It’s really unfortunate that Apple won’t open up the Apple Watch to be used with Android phones.

I don’t own the Series 3 but I do have a $1k Series 2 with the Apple Stainless Band. The only reason I haven’t upgraded to the Series 3 is because I am never without my phone which means I don’t need LTE on my watch. That being said, what I am curious about is why you returned a Series 2 last year and purchased a Series 3 without activating LTE? What pushed you over the top? I ask this because a Series 3 without LTE seems to basically be a Series 2. Its not like the OS has been refined that much and never-mind that we actually lost some good third party apps due to non-use. Sure we have a theater mode now (which is great), but really, besides a very minor performance boost, a new way of scrolling, and some new watch faces, the OS seems basically the same.

I’m a analog timepiece guy, and have been using a First-gen applewatch off and on for 2+ years (since I’m not known to wear the same watch 2 days in a row)
However most recently my coworkers have requested me “share” my applewatch activity data, and the OCD in me cannot allow me to finish a day without closing my activity rings 🙁
Long-story short:
1- I now wear my applewatch face-down on my left wrist (like a activity band), and a Speedmaster on my right (I’m a wrong-wrister).
2- I started running (late nights to close my exercise ring)
3- i’ve lost 5 pounds so far (yeah, I’m getting close to age-50 as well)
4- i’ve been given the nickname “2-clocks”, but I’m ok with that… cuz analog watches are badass 🙂